Another problem I find with dependent writers who are discovering the narrative is that they become enamored, at one point or another, with dialogue. Most of their world is a world of dialogue, from the television and movies they watch to their everyday conversations. Fortunately, in this world, their mind is attuned to the context – the setting, how the characters are reacting (facial and body expressions), and the action. Unfortunately, this “mind’s view,” when one is writing, is not available to the reader of the narrative. Showing the student that one has to contextualize dialogue can be difficult and a bothersome thing for some students.
I like to break the story down for the student, adding questions to the student’s paper the student must answer on the paper before continuing. Gradually, the student becomes aware that dialogue, while generally essential, has to be surrounded by framework. Sometimes, I might model a lousy story, one that has no context, merely dialogue and ask the student to explain the “where” and “what’s happening.”
Another problem I have found with students who are using dialogue is that every sentence starts with “She said” or “He said.” Though “said” is not a bad word to use, it can become very repetitious. I have been very successful in having a group endeavor, where the students brainstorm for words to use instead of the “S” word. These we catalog on a bulletin board, with students adding to it throughout the year.
Also, when a student is writing, many times the actual identity of the character becomes obscured by the constant use of “he” or “she.” While this poses no problem to the writer, it can make a narrative rather incoherent at times. This normally can be solved by pointing out the problem to the student.
Dialogue, especially for middle graders (4-8) can open a new world for developing writers. With close attention, the teacher can mold this into a skill that is very impressive. Without attention, the writer will write reams that no one really understands or CARES to understand.
